Chapter 4: My Brother Loves Me Too Much—Day Four

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Jiang Yan’s bony fingers were cold to the touch, long and tough. Her fingers were tightly grasped, firmly held, unable to break free.

Yun Zhiyi was slightly startled; her amber eyes widened as she stared blankly at Jiang Yan lying on the bed.

The bedroom curtains blocked out almost all sunlight. In the dim light, Jiang Yan’s dark eyes were deep and intense, fixed on her. A flicker of daze crossed his pupils before settling into a tangible focus.

Jiang Yan gave her the feeling that she was like a sudden apparition, a spirit he had finally caught and was unwilling to let go.

When they were children, Jiang Yan loved to sleep in. Whenever she woke early, she would rush into Jiang Yan’s room, pounce on the bed, and shout for her brother to wake up. Jiang Yan was not a gentle type, but he indulged her uniquely; even if disturbed, he never lost his temper with her.

He was always helpless against her.

Yun Zhiyi’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she lowered her gaze to the waking Jiang Yan and said, “Brother, Aunt Feng asked me to wake you for breakfast.”

Jiang Yan seemed to have just awoken from a dream, releasing her hand and draping his arm over his eyes. His voice was hoarse: “...Mm.”

Yun Zhiyi stayed by the bed, not leaving, and asked, “Brother, when did you come back last night?”

Jiang Yan rolled over and lay on his back, looking up at the ceiling. “One-thirty.”

“Oh,” Yun Zhiyi said. “No wonder I didn’t hear anything.”

She usually stayed up late, but yesterday she must have been too tired and fell asleep early, naturally missing the sound of Jiang Yan’s return.

“I’ll go downstairs first,” Yun Zhiyi reminded him. “Brother, get up quickly and don’t sleep too long. If you’re still too tired, have breakfast downstairs and then take a nap.”

The Jiang family was very particular about rules. Since childhood, the siblings were forbidden from staying up late or sleeping in, and meals had to be punctual.

When she first came to live with the Jiang family, she was afraid of Mr. and Mrs. Jiang and woke up obediently early every day. After a few years, they treated her well, and Jiang Yan pampered her like a little princess, so the rules became less strict.

When she made mistakes as a child, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang never punished her but punished Jiang Yan instead, making him stand facing the wall or kneel. She felt sorry for her brother and cried while sharing the punishment, which gradually helped her correct many childish bad habits.

Because they were so close as children, the sudden estrangement as they grew older saddened her for a long time. The fissures that appeared with age were like a weathered garden wall—no matter how much paint you put on, the scars could not be erased.

The past was like smoke, scattered by the wind, leaving only regrets in the passage of time.

As Yun Zhiyi went downstairs, she thought to herself: Fortunately, in this second life, she knew Jiang Yan did not hate her, and she had a chance to restore their relationship to what it once was.

Downstairs, she saw the dining room. Mr. and Mrs. Jiang were already having breakfast. The couple had good habits: early to bed, early to rise. Compared to others in their circle who aged with a potbelly, they were healthy and looked young, exuding a classic aristocratic aura.

Yun Zhiyi found it odd that Mr. Jiang, who appeared so healthy, had suddenly suffered a heart attack triggered by stock market fluctuations.

Jiang Hancheng and Sun Wan both noticed Yun Zhiyi, a couple who especially liked having her stay at their home.

“Zhiyi, you’re awake,” Sun Wan greeted gently. “Come sit and have breakfast.”

“Good morning, Uncle, Auntie,” Yun Zhiyi nodded and took a seat beside Mrs. Jiang. The servants brought over bowls and chopsticks.

In front of Jiang Hancheng was a tablet; he was browsing the financial morning report. Though aged, his refined face showed a slightly stern expression.

“Did Jiang Yan come back last night?” Jiang Hancheng asked.

Sun Wan replied, “Aunt Feng said he came back in the middle of the night.”

The Jiang family’s villa was huge, with five floors and many rooms. The butler and live-in servants lived in another building in the rear garden. After 10 p.m., when the servants finished work, the family mainly stayed in the villa, undisturbed.

Aunt Feng had noticed Jiang Yan’s gray-blue luxury car parked in the lot and the shoes he casually left by the entrance, realizing Jiang Yan had returned home.

Jiang Hancheng frowned. “Then why hasn’t he come down for breakfast?”

Yun Zhiyi heard the reproach in Mr. Jiang’s tone and was about to defend Jiang Yan when a pleasant male voice interrupted.

“Coming.”

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Yun Zhiyi turned to look.

Not far off, a tall, slender man wore a gray crewneck sweatshirt and matching casual pants. His hair was slightly tousled and curly. With one hand in his pocket, he slowly strolled to the dining table in slippers.

This carefree young master look carried a hint of wild abandon and overwhelming charm.

If Jiang Yan entered the entertainment industry, he would undoubtedly be a top idol. He naturally exuded nobility, every movement graceful and captivating.

Idols today were no match for the stars of twenty years ago in terms of looks. Jiang Yan standing there would be an absolute knockout.

Noticing Yun Zhiyi staring at him, Jiang Yan glanced her way. His handsome face was expressionless, his gaze distant and somewhat detached.

Jiang Hancheng disliked this attitude the most. He thought Jiang Yan was sloppy and dissolute—resembling a playboy from their social circle—and frowned more deeply, scolding, “You’re an adult now. Act like one.”

Jiang Yan paid no mind, pulled out a chair, sat down, and leisurely began eating with the utensils prepared by the servants.

Yun Zhiyi withdrew her gaze and quietly ate.

Only the crisp sound of chopsticks and bowls broke the silence at the table.

Jiang Hancheng spoke, “When will you move back?”

The question was obviously addressed to Jiang Yan.

Sun Wan looked at her son, and Yun Zhiyi glanced at Jiang Yan across the table.

When she was in high school, Jiang Yan had moved out. He still lived in an apartment under his name and rarely returned home. Mr. and Mrs. Jiang had brought up the idea of him moving back many times, but Jiang Yan always refused.

Jiang Yan paused mid-bite, his tone flat, “No plans.”

Unsurprisingly, Jiang Hancheng was displeased. His face tensed as he demanded, “What’s so good about that lousy company of yours to focus on?!”

Jiang Yan smiled, his tone mocking, “It certainly can’t compare to your reputation in Haicheng.”

Jiang Hancheng barely saw his son throughout the year. Years ago, he had been eager for Jiang Yan to take over the Jiang Group’s affairs, but Jiang Yan was reluctant. The heir he painstakingly cultivated insisted on starting his own business instead.

“You—”

Sun Wan quickly intervened to ease the tension, “Let’s eat breakfast quietly. If you have something to discuss, take it to the study.”

With his wife’s words, Jiang Hancheng saw the worry in his adopted daughter’s eyes and swallowed his anger, saying to Jiang Yan, “Come to the study later.”

“I have something to do,” Jiang Yan put down his spoon and stood to leave.

Jiang Hancheng was furious, shouting, “Stop right there!”

Without looking back, Jiang Yan walked away.

Sun Wan grasped her husband’s hand, soothing him, “Our son just got back. Can you hold your tongue? He will take over the family business sooner or later—why rush?”

Yun Zhiyi said, “Uncle Jiang, don’t be angry. I’ll talk to Brother and persuade him to return and take over the company.”

In the previous life, Jiang Hancheng had died suddenly of a heart attack. Jiang Yan hurriedly took control of the family business when the Jiang Group was on the brink of bankruptcy. Fortunately, Jiang Yan’s talent barely kept it afloat.

Public opinion was one factor, but due to other reasons, the Jiang Group was maliciously taken over by a rival company, leading to its decline.

Jiang Yan had been groomed as the heir since childhood and was well aware of it, prepared to join the group after graduation and work alongside Mr. Jiang. Yet for some reason, before graduating, he moved out and started a tech company with friends.

Sun Wan’s comforting calmed Jiang Hancheng somewhat, but he remained unhappy and couldn’t understand why Jiang Yan ignored the family empire to start his own venture.

After breakfast, Jiang Hancheng and Sun Wan left.

Yun Zhiyi had nothing to do and headed upstairs to check on Jiang Yan.

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She didn’t see Jiang Yan leave the villa.

He must still be at home.

At Jiang Yan’s door, she instinctively reached to open it but hesitated and instead knocked.

Two soft knocks.

No response from inside.

Yun Zhiyi knocked twice more and softly called, “...Brother?”

Still no reply.

Could Jiang Yan have gone upstairs to nap and already fallen asleep?

After hesitating, Yun Zhiyi pushed the door open and entered the bedroom. The blackout curtains were open, and the room was bright. The bed was messy, but no one was there.

She glanced around but didn’t find Jiang Yan. Just as she was about to leave, the door to the walk-in closet opened. Dressed in a white shirt and black suit pants, the shirt tucked neatly in, his slim waist was accentuated by the tailored clothes, giving him a noble air.

Yun Zhiyi rarely saw Jiang Yan in formal wear. He had shed the boyish innocence of youth and grown into a man with an imposing presence. When serious, he emanated a cool, distant aura.

Seeing her, Jiang Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. “Something?”

Yun Zhiyi forced a practiced smile—one she had rehearsed countless times. She had practiced smiling in front of the mirror for dance performances, knowing exactly how to look sweet and charming.

She asked, “Brother, are you going to the company?”

Jiang Yan’s handsome face showed a faint disdain. “That’s fake.”

Yun Zhiyi was stunned. “What?”

Jiang Yan said calmly, “If you don’t want to smile, don’t.”

Brother was so heartless!

For a moment, Yun Zhiyi felt hurt. Her smile was indeed forced, but did he have to point it out so bluntly? What about her pride? Hmph.

Jiang Yan glanced at his wristwatch.

Yun Zhiyi’s gaze followed his movement. The man wore a black mechanical watch with a genuine leather strap and a silver dial. The unique design looked familiar.

That was...

She remembered it vividly and recognized it immediately.

Jiang Yan didn’t notice her expression and said in a low voice, “Let’s talk tonight if you have something to say. I have to get busy.”

Yun Zhiyi hummed twice in acknowledgment and followed him out.

Walking behind Jiang Yan, her eyes tracked the wrist with the watch, and a quiet joy swelled in her heart.

—He’ll come back tonight.

That meant he would return to the villa after work.